Natural Processes & Concepts

Behind the beauty of Acadia is a fascinating sets of processes at work. The geologic history of Acadia National Park stretches back in time through millions of years to the formation of the oldest rocks on Mount Desert Island and continues to the present with the persistent forces of wind and weather which cause erosion. Evidence of this rich natural past can be seen across the island, along rocky shorelines and atop windswept mountains. The tides shape Acadia on their twice daily rise and fall. Wildland fire is just one example of the natural disturbances to the plants, animals, and landscape of Acadia from the earliest lightning strike to more recent human activity for agriculture and fire prevention. The result of all these processes at work is an Acadia that is rich in biodiversity - the collective plant, animal, and microbiotic world.